Second Place: Annaliese Arciniega, 9th, Osage High School (Non-Fiction) "Down But Not Out" We were both battling for dominance, one being pushed, then the other getting the same treatment right back. It felt like we were all over the mat. One side one second and the complete opposite side the next. Her leg went in between mine.. and I tripped. I fell onto the mat, but she came with me. In a matter of seconds we were flipped around and I was on top. I was on top. *** “You going out for wrestling?” Fank basically shouted in his usual upbeat yet somehow condescending tone. I was walking through the old high school gym, as I usually did, on my way to class. Every day, almost every time I passed him my eighth-grade year, Fank seemed to ask that question. Over, and over, and over. “No, I’m in basketball, you know that.” Although I was annoyed, a small smirk was appearing on my face. His smile widened, almost reading my thoughts. He knew what he was doing, “Yeah, what about next year? There are people that do both.” He and I both knew I was done with this conversation, “I’ll think about it.” I told him, saying what he wanted to hear so that I could continue on my way. I didn’t wait to see what he said and started walking again. “Bye!” I could hear the smile on his face. I didn’t answer him. Fank wasn’t the only one who constantly pushed me to join, half of that credit has to go to Gable. Ask anyone and they will say she is stubborn and persistent, especially when she’s passionate about something. That’s not to say I never got annoyed or angry at her constant reminders and nagging, but hey it worked out in the end. Didn’t it? *** On my way to the locker room to get changed for basketball practice, I couldn’t help my thoughts. The same ones ran through my mind every day. I seriously hate basketball, I only do it for three reasons. 1. To stay in shape, 2. For my mom, and 3. I need something to occupy my time. My thoughts were interrupted as I entered the musty old locker room. Gosh, this place is disgusting. I continued to sulk as I
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